In a recent chat with Tom Power, Mick Jagger delved deep into his collaboration with Paul McCartney. He shared a sentiment from McCartney about missing the joy of band performances.
The Rolling Stones are gearing up for their new album, ‘Hackney Diamonds,’ set to release on October 20, 2023. This will be their 24th in the UK and 26th in the US. Jagger admitted to some initial apprehensions before their joint sessions, but McCartney found it fulfilling. “I was uncertain about how things would go, but Paul was all in. He expressed how much he missed and enjoyed playing with a band,” Jagger remarked.
Describing the in-studio dynamics, Jagger mentioned, “All of us, including Keith and me on guitars and Paul on the bass, played together in one room. It felt seamless with Paul. Everything was wrapped up swiftly.”
The album, ‘Hackney Diamonds’, boasts a galaxy of stars such as Elton John, Lady Gaga, Stevie Wonder, and former Stones member Bill Wyman. McCartney showcased his bass prowess in the song ‘Bite My Head Off.’ Reflecting on his ties with the Beatles, Jagger added, “John and I were tight-knit. While he was sharp and witty, Paul had a different aura. We might not meet often, but we stay connected. There’s a robust line of communication, especially between Ronnie and Paul.”
After their 2016 album, ‘Blue & Lonesome’, which was a blues cover album, it’s been a while since they released original music, the last being ‘A Bigger Bang’ in 2005. They did, however, release a few tracks in between, such as ‘Doom and Gloom’ in 2012 and ‘Living in a Ghost Town’ in 2020.
Recording ‘Hackney Diamonds’ wasn’t a walk in the park due to the COVID-19 disruptions. Started in 2020, by January 2023, 23 songs were prepped. Notably, it will feature some of the final contributions from Charlie Watts, who left us in August 2021.
Keith Richards offered insights on proceeding without Watts, applauding Jagger’s resilience in driving the band. With Steve Jordan filling in as the drummer, Jagger noticed semblances between him and Watts.
The Stones’ collaborations also extended to Ringo Starr, the other Beatles luminary. Ringo lent his signature drum beats to the album.
